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Practice Of Real EstateLicense LawHARD

Agent Sophia holds an active Maryland salesperson license. She is also a licensed attorney in Maryland and occasionally provides legal advice to real estate clients. A buyer asks Sophia to represent him in a real estate purchase and also handle the legal closing as his attorney, paying her both a real estate commission and an attorney's fee. Under Maryland law, which of the following most accurately describes Sophia's obligations in this situation?

Correct Answer

C) Sophia may act in both capacities and collect both fees, but she must provide full written disclosure of her dual role and obtain the buyer's informed written consent to the arrangement.

Maryland law does not categorically prohibit a licensee who is also an attorney from serving in both capacities in the same transaction. However, the dual role creates a significant conflict of interest that must be fully disclosed. Under both MREC regulations and Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys, Sophia must provide written disclosure of her dual role, explain the potential conflicts, and obtain the buyer's informed written consent before proceeding. Both the real estate commission and attorney's fee may be collected if properly disclosed and consented to.

Answer Options
A
Sophia may freely collect both fees without any additional disclosure because attorneys are exempt from the Maryland Real Estate Brokers Act entirely.
B
Sophia must choose to act either as the buyer's real estate agent or as his attorney, but Maryland law prohibits her from serving in both capacities in the same transaction.
C
Sophia may act in both capacities and collect both fees, but she must provide full written disclosure of her dual role and obtain the buyer's informed written consent to the arrangement.
D
Sophia may collect the attorney's fee only if she waives the real estate commission, as Maryland law prohibits double compensation in a single transaction.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

attorney_licenseedual_roledisclosureconflict_of_interestinformed_consent

Related Concepts

Commingling is the illegal act of mixing client funds with a broker's personal or business operating funds, while conversion is the unauthorized use of client funds for the broker's own benefit. Both are serious violations that can result in license revocation.

Commingling is the illegal act of mixing client trust funds with a broker's personal or business operating funds; conversion is the misappropriation of those funds.

Continuing education (CE) refers to the ongoing coursework that licensed real estate professionals must complete during each renewal cycle to maintain an active license. CE ensures agents stay current with changes in laws, regulations, and industry practices.

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